Jarlier Tower

You’re now standing before the Jarlier Tower, one of three major towers still standing in Saint-Tropez, along with the Tour Vieille and the Tour du Portalet. Back in the 16th century, these towers, together with a fourth, now lost, the Suffren Tower, formed a defensive system built to protect both the port and the town. The Jarlier Tower itself was constructed between 1542 and 1569, during a time when Saint-Tropez needed to guard against threats from the sea: Barbary pirates based in North Africa, as well as enemy fleets prowling the Mediterranean. Unlike the towers positioned to defend the harbor entrance, this one stood slightly further back, locking down access to the inner town and linking the ramparts to the citadel. Today it’s listed as a Historic Monument, a reminder of the days when life here moved to the rhythm of sentries and cannons, long before Saint-Tropez became a holiday destination. Restored and given a new purpose, the tower occasionally hosts private events, and for the truly curious, it’s even possible to spend the night inside. An unusual experience, right at the heart of the old fortified town.